As the Memphis Grizzlies wrap up a rollercoaster season, star guard Ja Morant has once again found himself at the center of controversy—this time for an on-court gesture that has sparked debate over potential disciplinary action.
During the final seconds of the Grizzlies’ April 1 loss to the Golden State Warriors, Morant and Warriors guard Buddy Hield were both hit with technical fouls for what appeared to be an exchange of finger-gun gestures.
The incident unfolded as Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III was at the free-throw line, with Golden State holding a 132-125 lead. From the Warriors bench, Hield seemingly directed a gesture toward Morant. As Morant walked toward the Grizzlies’ bench after a timeout was called, he quickly responded with the same motion—beating Hield to it in what seemed to be a brief back-and-forth.
Golden State players, including Draymond Green, immediately reacted, and the referees assessed double technicals. While it was a short-lived exchange, the moment has raised concerns given Morant’s past gun-related incidents.
Could Ja Morant face suspension?
So far, the NBA has not announced any additional punishment beyond the technical foul. While that’s a good sign for Morant’s availability, the league could still issue a fine if it deems the gesture inappropriate.
If further action is taken, it might prompt Morant to reconsider his 3-point celebration, which has been under scrutiny before.
The controversy surrounding Morant’s gesture isn’t just about this single incident—it’s the context behind it.
The 24-year-old guard has a history of gun-related controversies, including:
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January 2023: Morant’s associates were accused of pointing a laser, believed to be attached to a firearm, at members of the Indiana Pacers’ traveling party.
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March 2023: A lawsuit claimed Morant brandished a gun during a pickup basketball altercation, though he was never charged.
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March 2023 (later that month): Morant appeared on Instagram Live flashing a firearm at a Colorado nightclub, leading to an eight-game suspension.
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May 2023: Just two months later, he again displayed a gun on Instagram Live, resulting in a 25-game suspension.
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December 2023: In his fourth game back from suspension, Morant’s on-court celebration was questioned but later clarified as a New Orleans cultural reference.
Given this history, even an innocent gesture can be magnified into something much bigger for Morant.
It remains to be seen whether the NBA will impose further discipline, but Morant is likely under heightened scrutiny. Even if no additional action is taken, the controversy serves as a reminder that every move he makes—on and off the court—will be watched closely.
For now, the Grizzlies and Morant will try to move past this latest incident and focus on finishing their season strong.
